Chron Officials in Galveston County confirmed Monday several positive cases of avian influenza, or bird flu, across the area. In fact, the county said that 27 birds have died from influenza, known as H5N1, already during this outbreak. “Of the 27, six birds have been sent to the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) for further diagnostic testing and confirmation,” read a release issued Monday by the Galveston County Health District. The birds were found in Dickinson, Santa Fe and Texas City, according to the Health District’s Amanda Wolff.
Further, the Health District said 10 humans had direct contact with infected birds. All 10 individuals were evaluated and eight had flu-like symptoms, but all testing came back negative for influenza.